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Audio Research 75 SE

I just heard there is an Audio Research Ref 5 SE and they are offering the update to Ref 75 owners. Not only includes the 150 tube but also some circuit changes to better accommodate the new tube. Audio Research states this is a dramatic improvement as much so as from Ref 5 to the Ref 5SE.. Anybody heard it.
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Showing 5 responses by bifwynne

bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Rrolack ... I just dropped 2 quads of KT-150s into my Ref 150. Sound is better, but not transformational. So I wait to hear back from Oregonpapa and Carey1110.
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
@Carey1110 .... yes, please keep us posted. Another member, Oregonpapa, recently sent his Ref 75 back to ARC for the SE upgrade. Also looking forward to reading his comments soon.
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Ditto David12. When I asked, ARC was somewhat tongue-in-cheek about the circuit changes and parts that go into the SE upgrade.

Having said that, I doubt that ARC would charge $5000 to do an SE upgrade to my Ref 150, where the retail price of the tubes (8 KT150s 4 6H30s) being approx. $1800 and the balance (or, $3200) relating to snake oil.

OTOH, all that being said, ARC has at times described certain improvements or new models as "being in another league" or "in a different class" and so forth. That has not been my personal experience in a number of cases (e.g., Ref 3 to Ref 5 (not SE); PH-7 to PH8). Just my opinion.

So I am waiting to read comments from Carey and Oregonpapa.

BIF
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Thanks for the reports guys. I'm leaning in favor of doing the SE upgrade.

Just concerned that the next bottleneck will turn out to be speakers. Kal said the Ref 150 SE will work magic with the Maggie 3.7i speaakers. But room size (room height and length), room effects and time coherence are a still problems. The DEQX can fix a lot, but not room height and length. The Maggies are 6' tall I think. My room is 7' feet high.

Also, the Maggies are not bass rumblers. May need a sub.

Thanks again guys.

Please keep the comments coming. Your SEs will need time to tome to break in, even the Ref 75 that was upgraded at the factory.

Btw, Carey ... how long did it take ARC to do the turn around the SE upgrade?

Bruce
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Carey ... did ARC change or modify the top cover to accommodate the larger tubes. Or do you play sans cover??

Also, are you able to tell if they took a soldiering iron to the existing circuit boards and swap out components, or did they swap out the old boards and drop in a new boards?
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